Method for playing a poker game

ABSTRACT

A wagering game for casinos consisting of 1) participation by placing a wager; 2) a table games dealer who delivers multiple cards to all wagering players; 3) the table games dealer delivering three community cards; 4) resolution of all cards played based upon predetermined combinations of cards; 5) paying all wagers odds based upon a predetermined set of winning combinations. The current invention consists of a casino type wagering game to achieve payable combinations of cards, comprising the steps of placing a wager, dealing a multiple card hand to each player, dealing three community cards, having each player choose one community card to construct a complete poker hand, and paying any player who achieves a predetermined winning combination of said hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to card games suitably used in gaming establishments, particularly poker card games of said suitable usage.

2. Background of the Art

Casinos and gaming establishments have long offered a variety of games to their patrons. Some games require that a banker (dealer provided by the casino) be used versus the player whilst other games require players to participate as bankers for a set fee. Other types of games allow the versatility of both styles of banker to be used.

Players often enjoy games that allow for an immediate reward for correct decision making based on impulse, strategy, or otherwise. The decision-making process lends to the enthusiasm of such games, especially when correct decision making results in a reward for said decision. It is therefore desirable to provide a variety of card games based on decision-making and versatility.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081 describes a method of playing a wagering game as a five-card poker game where a player places a three-part wager on the occurrence of one of a plurality of predetermined wing outcomes. Each player receives three cards along with the dealer, who discards one of his/her cards. The dealers remaining cards sit face down and are considered community cards. Each player then examines his/her own three cards to observe a predetermined winning outcome. Upon examination, each player has the option to pull one of his/her three wagers back. Once resolved, one of the community cards is revealed to potentially augment each player's three-card hand. Upon the examination of the first community card, each player has the option to pull back a second wager of his/her three-part wager. Each player's third wager remains in play for the final community card to be revealed.

Payouts of said game are based upon standard poker rankings. Paying hands consist of (lowest to highest): a pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush. All winning hands pay odds, which are listed in a pay table. This game also offers an optional wager based on the outcome of a particularly high hand in the pay table.

It remains desirable to provide for a poker-style game that allows for the simplicity of standard poker hands with more options and a faster outcome of all wagers to enhance the interest and enthusiasm of players everywhere.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for playing a poker game is a stud-style poker game where players who place a wager receive multiple cards as part of an incomplete hand. Upon examination, players can choose to remain in the game to receive a final card from one of three available community cards to complete their hands, provided an additional wager is placed. The object of the game is to create a ranking poker hand that pays according to a predetermined payout schedule.

This game is played in literally three simple steps, solving the problem of gradual game play in previous poker games found in casinos today. A player need only wager, examine the cards, and choose to fold or remain in play. This direct approach allows for more hands to be dealt in any set period of time, thus allowing for gaming establishments to collect more game play whilst players will be able to play more hands within their own individual time frames.

Some poker games have a multi-tiered wager that provides further cards to be revealed as the hand progresses. The elimination of wagers impedes upon the speed of the game. Unlike some poker games, this game gives players an active choice in which card they wish to receive, allowing any gaming enthusiast to thrive on his/her own decision-making to collect on a wager.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1

FIG. 1 depicts one example of a method for playing a poker game on a layout that can accommodate six players. The dealer remains on one side of the layout while the players stay on the other side. Each pie-shaped section represents each player space and has a spot for initial wagering, additional wagering, and a space to place the initial cards delivered by the dealer. A line between each space serves as a division between player spaces. Between the dealer and the player spaces sits three spaces used to house community cards (one per space). Upon the placement of the additional wager, players are allowed the choice of one of said community cards to complete a poker hand. A payout table is provided for easy reference for both players and dealers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method for playing a poker game is a stud-style poker game where multiple cards are used to complete a standard poker hand. A player places an initial wager on the spot provided for initial wagering in order to receive a plurality of cards from a standard deck of 52 cards. These cards are placed by the dealer in an area provided on the layout. An additional three community cards are placed face down individually on one of three spaces, that is, one card per space. All wagering players then examine their given set of cards and decide either to remain in play to complete their hands or fold their hands and lose their wager. All decision-making is done individually, as individual sets of initial cards remain independent of one another.

Players who choose to remain in play must place an additional wager relative to their initial wager in a space provided on the layout. The placement of said additional wager allows each individual the choice of one of three community cards previously placed on the layout. To signify which one of said three community cards are chosen, each player must place his/her additional wager in one of three corresponding spaces provided on the layout. Upon the completion of wagering and folding, the three community cards are revealed by being turned face up, effectively completing all hands. Each player receives the community card that corresponds to the position of his/her additional wager. The final result is compared to the predetermined payout table, immediately resulting in a win or a loss of all wagers placed. The predetermined payout table is based upon poker ranks and remains relative to all wagers placed. All potential poker hands are as follows: High Card, One Pair, Two Pair, Three of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, and Royal Flush. 

1. A method of playing a poker game, consisting of: at least one player placing an initial wager; a dealer dealing a hand of multiple cards to each player who placed said wager; the dealer placing three community cards for individual selection by each player; resolving each player's total poker hand consisting of said multiple cards and one community card; resolving all outcomes based upon a predetermined payout table in direct proportion to all wagers placed;
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a player must place an initial wager to receive multiple cards.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a player must place an additional wager in direct proportion to the initial wager to receive one community card.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a minimum rank must be established in order for a player to be paid on any wagers.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein separate players do not have to wager equal amounts on their initial wagers.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein separate players do not have to wager equal amounts on their additional wagers.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein both the first and second wagers are mandatory for payout participation.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the game may be player banked.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the table games dealer must place three community cards before any additional wagers are placed.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein each player may choose one of said three community cards upon placement of an additional wager. 